PECS - Can someone tell me how to get started??

[mumgoingcrazy]

I've heard of PECS now and again and it looks like the SN school I want DD2 use it a lot as well as Makaton (which we already do a bit of).

Can anyone tell me what it is, or how I go about doing it with DD2? She is 21 months.

Thank you!

do you have a portage worker or someone who can do it with you?? we started out with two symbols and worked from there. i bluetacked them to front of a cupboard in kitchen where juice was kept and near biscuits and he gradually learnt to give me symbol if he wanted them etc it took time and patince with lots of encouragement but we got there in the end then introduced more and more.

Yes we do have a Portage worker, I'll ask this week when I see her. Is it literally have a picture of everything, laminate them and give it to them in a book? Do you have the word written underneath too? Sorry these are really stupid questions but I really like the concept of it and think DD2 might grasp it (in time).

Do you sign the word as well? And last question, do you have symbols for anything else other than food? eg toothbrush or hairbrush etc

We use it at work and often start with photos (or empty packets if asking for biscuits/food things) because lots of our children can't differeniate well enough to use symbols at the start. We laminate the photo label and use sticky backed velcro to hold them in place on cupboard doors etc. Yes, PECs symbols have the word underneath (or might be on top, I use the things every day but can't remember where the word is ) an dyes we sometimes sign and would say "Biscuit! Good girl x wants a biscuit" or something along those lines we'd always name the object being asked for first if that makes sense.

Thank you both of you.

Is there somewhere where you can just buy all the laminates or do you literally have to download a picture of everything, print, cut and laminate them individually?

That sounds really lazy, and I will do it but just wondered if there was an easy way to this

We use a digital camera to make our own symbols or we download from a free photo site, I can check the web address and get back to you if it helps. Sometimes we use do2learn.com but it's an American site so some of the words on the symbols aren't appropriate for the UK. Do you have a SALT? They should be able to help you with PECs, Makaton or Widget symbols. We have a cheapo Tesco laminator and buy pouches.

To begin with we use A5 size photos (or maybe slightly smaller) for clarity.

There's lots of choice for place to get symbols. Pyramid for example do a bunch of ready made ones. Ebay is a good place to look as well. And Jessica Kingsley do a cheapish CD.

But if you want to do PECS properly (and your dd is non-verbal) I'd really recommend getting yourself on a pyramid course. If you're using PECS for communication (rather than just symbols on a visual timetable) then it tends to be much more successful if introduced in the 'set' way - which takes you through a series of phases. You may be able to find a professional to take you through the phases - although even the I tend to still recommend the course if you can do it.

We spent ages faffing around trying to get PECS going and it really wasn't going very well, went on the course and within a couple of weeks ds1 was using it a lot. He's still using it 6 years later (we went when he was 3), so it was money well spent!

Forgot to add we also stick a small symbol into the corner of the photo so the child sees the two together if we start with photos.

I'd second going on a PECs course. It really helps you to understand why the system is introduced in such a set way. I did a two day course a couple of years ago and it was more than worth it.

Smudge, yes we do have a SALT. I don't find her that great but she might be able to help with this.

When you say stick symbol into the corner, do you mean for eg a photo of a drink and then the actual carton in the corner?

Mrsturnip, it's hard to say if she's non verbal. She's 21 months, babbles constantly and has said a fair few words but not consistantly so then I wonder if she ever said them at all. She can say 3 words consistantly and with the approriate sign or object. Would you still recommend the course?

If you can afford it I'd recommend the course anyway. But if you're prioritising spending then you might want to hold off especially as she is so young still. (Moondog might disagree with that and say do it anyway!). Pyramid do a DVD which shows all the phases, that's worth watching (you may be able to borrow it from somewhere- perhaps try portage) and gives a good overview of the use of PECS.

That's great, thanks mrsturnip. I'll speak to Portage and SALT this week.

I have also just been on ebay and purchased 160 pecs symbols ready laminated and with velcro. I can't wait to get started now, DD2 responds better to visual aids so hopefully her communication will improve.

Thanks again

Mum, go on a PECS course please!
It's essentail (and fab that you are being so proactive so early.It will pay off).

Make sure your SALT and/or Portage worker have done the 2 day course too.If not, they will not be able to help you properly (whatever they say to the contrary-trust me,I'm the lead SALT in my Trust for PECS and know it like the back of my hand).

I'll link you to the page on the website which shows where and when courses are held.Tonnes of them a year.Have you a SW? Sometimes they will pay. If not, do it anyway (reduced rates for parents). It's terrific.

Here

Thanks Moondog. The 1st London one we are on holiday for which means I can't really do until August. Can I get the DVD to at least get me started or is the course the only way to go? We don't have a SW? Should I have one?

DVD won't help you get started, but it will give you a good overview of the system which will help you see where you are going with it, as well as footage of kids using it.

Re SWs,I see your child is young.Every place differs but around here, nurses seem to take lead until about 5. SWs useful for suppport with grants/allowances and whathaveyou.I work with some great ones who really make people's lives easier.

Thanks Moondog, I'll get myself on the course in August. I spoke to our Portage worker today and she is trained in PECS (which I didn't realise). She has apparently held off from doing PECS with us as DD2's language is emerging and she already says words and sounds. She also said as we are 4 weeks into a 12 week course of Therapeutic Listening that we shouldn't introduce another technique until we are finished.

I'll also have a chat with our SALT tomorrow.

Has she done 2 day course? (Ask her.A morning discussing it in a staff meeeting with someone who hasn't done it ISN'T a PECS course.)

Therapeutic listening? right.

Still, reasonable enough to do one thing before starting another.

I'm not sure, I'll ask her next week.

The Therapeutic Listening will hopefully help DD2's auditory processing issues which will in turn improve her speech. Her noise sensitivity is already greatly improved and we're only 4 weeks in so looking forward to the end result.